SDE Backend Engineer (Full Time, Remote)

As an SDE Backend Engineer at Hike, you will be responsible for developing, innovating, and integrating new technologies into our gaming infrastructure. Your duties will also include defining and architecting core gaming server components, optimizing high-performance systems, and mentoring fellow engineers. Your work will significantly impact the gaming experience for millions of users, making this role not just a job, but a chance to be part of something much larger.

To qualify for the SDE Backend Engineer role at Hike, candidates should have 1 to 3 years of relevant industry experience along with strong coding skills in Java and/or C#. A solid understanding of TCP/IP and UDP protocols, as well as database design and REST APIs, will also be essential. Candidates should possess strong object-oriented design skills and be comfortable working with complex systems. Great communication skills are vital to ensure smooth collaboration with other team members.

Preparing for an interview as an SDE Backend Engineer at Hike involves practicing your coding skills in Java and C# and brushing up on key concepts in networking protocols and database design. Familiarize yourself with the Hike Code and think about how you can embody those values in your work. Additionally, prepare to discuss your previous projects where you've had to innovate under challenging conditions, as well as how you’ve collaborated with cross-functional teams.

The work culture at Hike is vibrant and focused on collaboration and innovation. As an SDE Backend Engineer, you will be part of a team that prioritizes personal growth and professional development. Our values, such as 'Move Fast' and 'Dream Big', foster an environment where creativity thrives, and every opinion is valued, ensuring that all team members have a voice in the creative process.

Hike offers a fantastic array of benefits for SDE Backend Engineers, emphasizing not only competitive salaries but also numerous perks that enhance work-life balance. From flexible working conditions to opportunities for professional development, the benefits package is designed to support your journey as a backend engineer while ensuring a fulfilling and engaging work experience.

In your response, highlight specific technologies and tools you've worked with, such as networking protocols or database design practices relevant to gaming. Use examples from previous projects to illustrate your hands-on experience and success in building scalable systems.

Discuss your structured approach to API design, including ensuring clarity in documentation, defining endpoints, and utilizing JSON or XML formats effectively. Emphasize the importance of user experience and backward compatibility in your design process.

Outline specific techniques you implement to enhance performance, such as reducing memory usage or improving database queries. Highlight past successes where these optimizations have positively impacted system performance.

Talk about your strategies for maintaining open lines of communication, such as regular check-ins, updates via project management tools, and using video calls to discuss complex topics. Share examples of how good communication led to successful project outcomes.

Present a specific instance where you identified a challenging issue and detail the steps you took to solve it. Focus on your analytical process, any collaboration involved, and the impact of your solution.

Discuss your familiarity with Git, including workflows you've used for collaboration and any best practices you've adopted to manage changes and track progress efficiently in software development projects.

Share a personal story of mentoring a peer or junior engineer, emphasizing how you helped them overcome challenges. Highlight the learning environment you created and how it contributed to their development and the team’s success.

Explain your systematic approach to investigating and resolving issues, applying debugging tools, analyzing logs, and leveraging metrics to pinpoint issues efficiently. Provide an example if possible to illustrate your diagnostic skills.

Talk about your commitment to continuous learning through resources like online courses, industry podcasts, and participation in tech forums or meetups. Mention any specific technologies you're excited about and any recent ones you've learned.

Share your passion for gaming and how Hike's commitment to innovation aligns with your career goals. Highlight aspects of the company culture that resonate with you and your excitement about contributing to Hike's mission.